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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Ireland is set to compete in tonight's Eurovision final with Norwegian singer Emmy Kristiansen flying the tricolour in Basel, Switzerland.
Emmy will represent Ireland with the song Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space, and with only 10 qualifying spots left, competition will be fierce.
Last year, Ireland – which holds a record seven wins with Sweden – came sixth with Bambie Thug’s witchy Doomsday Blue, the first time the country had made the final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy in Lisbon in 2018.
It is hoped Kristiansen can replicate that on Thursday, but she faces strong competition from Finland singer Erika Vikman’s energetic Ich Komme, Malta’s Miriana Conte with the pride-filled Serving, and Czechia’s dramatic song Kiss Kiss Goodbye, from Adonxs – a Slovakian singer who studied in London.
Israel are also among the countries competing in the second semi-final as October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael will perform Hebrew, French and English language entry New Day Will Rise – with the aim of qualifying for the final at St Jakobshalle Basel arena on Saturday.
The evening will also see performances from three of the “big five” countries that have already made the final – British girl group Remember Monday, French singer Louane and German duo Abor & Tynna.
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What time does it kick off?
The second semi-finals will kick off on RTÉ2 at 8pm tonight with Australia's Go-Jo opening the contest with his song Milkshake Man with Finland's Erika Vikman closing the show with her song ICH KOMME.
Emmy will be performing third with Laika Party. Here is a full running order of all of tonight's performers,
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Once all the acts have performed, the voting will begin with those countries performing being able to cast their votes for their favourites, and 10 contestants going through to the final on Saturday.
In the final, qualifiers will also face Sweden representative’s Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu, about Nordic sauna culture, Ukraine’s Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray, and Estonia’s Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato, among others.
The Grand Final on Saturday will also see reigning champion Switzerland perform, who as host are guaranteed a slot after their act, Nemo, was victorious last year.
Bookies have given odds of 100/1 for Ireland to win outright with Sweden, Austria and France the favourites to win.
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-final takes place live tonight on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
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